Sedation or Sleep Dentistry

The Procedure

Sedation Dentistry is also known as Sleep Dentistry even though the patient is kept awake throughout the sedation process. But the person is not sleeping during the procedure. He may feel asleep due to the sedation he is given. For whatever reasons, if you cannot be sedated, there is an alternative method where you will go in to deep sleep. The method used in this case is general anesthesia instead of sedation.

There are many methods adopted in sedation dentistry depending on the patient and the procedures involved. But none of them are considered to be superior to others in efficiency. There are some sedation methods specifically suited for certain dental procedures. Your sedation dentist will decide the appropriate method for you based on factors like the nature of the procedure being performed, the level of your anxiety etc.

Local Anesthesia. This is the most common method used in dentistry and is given through injection on to the specific area. Before giving the injection, an anesthetic gel can be applied on the area so as to numb the surroundings. Local anesthetics will leave you fully awake during the procedure without feeling the pain. These are very effective in minor dental procedures.

Inhalation Analgesia. Nitrous Oxide or Laughing Gas is given through the nose and continued all through the duration of the dental procedure. This gas is known to provide the users with a happy feeling and numbness to pain. Laughing gas is the best method for people who are very nervous about the dental procedure they are undergoing.

Oral Sedation. These sedatives are consumed in pill form and are effective in reducing pain for users, as well as their ability in registering smell, sound etc. Dentists have been using oral sedation as an effective sedation method for a long time.

Intravenous Sedation. This method also provides similar effects like oral sedation. Unlike oral sedation where the drug is administered in pill form, in intravenous sedation the drug is administered through an injection. This method is more effective than oral sedation, as it works much faster than the other one. Hence, this is very effective for minor dental procedures. The only known side effect is short-term memory loss, as people tend to believe that the procedure only lasted for a much shorter period of time than what it really took.

Intra-Muscular Sedation. In this procedure, the drugs are injected in to the muscles of upper thigh or upper arm. The effects will start to show in five minutes or so. But this is not a common practice among dentists and is used only as part of emergency treatment.

General Anesthesia. Dentists do not usually undertake this. In this procedure, the person is rendered unconscious through the application of drugs. The side effects of this can last for a few hours or even a few days in some cases. General anesthesia is used only for people who are not suitable for other sedation methods or for those who are undergoing oral surgery.

It is advisable for you to have a family member or friend to assist you for the initial few hours after any sedation dentistry procedures. He/she must be with you when you are taken to your home and during the next few hours.

Tobacco is a major contributor towards dental decay and ultimately leading to tooth extraction.  If you cannot do without tobacco then make sure you follow a strict oral hygiene routine like brushing teeth atleast 2 times a day, flossing the teeth.  Carry out teeth bleaching and recontouring whenever your dentist asks you to, it can reduce the severity of dental decay in future.  Dental Hygiene is always better than curing a dental disease.